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Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Vatican City, 10 June 2015 (VIS) –
Msgr. Fernando Chica Arellano, head of the Holy See delegation at the
39th session of the Conference of the FAO (United Nations Food and
Agriculture Organisation), being held in Rome from 6 to 13 June,
spoke this morning at the seventh plenary session dedicated to the
theme “Breaking the cycle of rural poverty and hunger by
strengthening rural resilience: social protection and sustainable
agricultural development". Tomorrow in the Vatican the Holy
Father will receive in audience the 450 attendees of the Conference.

“The member States and various
intergovernmental institutions who work in the sector of development
and cooperation keep a close eye on the FAO and its activities, as
does civil society in its different and valuable forms of
organisation. The work that this organisation is called upon to
undertake, in the present and in the near future, in the various
regions of the world, must be focused on this reality”, affirmed
the prelate. “This requires extra effort: in facing the problems of
the rural world and the needs of those who suffer from hunger and
malnutrition it is also necessary to consider the condition of
agricultural workers and their earnings, but without forgetting that
the agricultural worker is not solely an economic subject. He or she
is a person capable of participating in decision-making regarding
production, conservation and distribution of the fruits of the land”.

“Therefore, more than sustainable
development, it would be far more incisive and coherent to speak
about sustainable human development, or rather a development that
places at the centre the human person, with his or her real
capacities, limitations, peculiarities and needs, both individually
and as a family. If the economic parameters do not take all this into
account, the resulting damage is clear and irreparable, for greater
progress can never be equivalent to less humanity. An ethical and
human vision of development requires us instead to share resources,
strategies and financing, but above all reminds us of the urgency and
importance of solidarity as well as determination to put an end, once
and for all, to the underdevelopment of the rural world. The
Organisation may then continue to be the competent 'centre' for the
gathering, study and dissemination of information on agriculture,
production methods and regulations, as its Constitution stipulates
and as is justly expected of it at all levels”.

“The Holy See delegation wishes here
to reaffirm the willingness of the Catholic Church, in her structures
and organisational forms, to contribute to this effort”, concluded
Msgr. Chica Arellano.